I bought a present for my late sister at the weekend

[foofooyeah]

On of my sisters died in January.

A local shop was selling some pretty bracelets cheaply so thought I would buy my three sisters each one as their birthdays were coming up (2 in Nov and 1 in Oct). I bought three for a moment completely forgetting I now only have two sisters.

As i went to pay I realised what I had done and had to try very hard to hold it together. It often hits me like a ton of bricks that I wont see her again, why is it possible to 'forget' for a few minutes that someone has died? Or is it just that you are so used to having them about that you just automatically think of them.

When you have had 3 sisters for the whole of your life, I think it takes a good while for our brains to finally register that they are no longer with us, hence you automatically buying three bracelets.This most have been very painful for you and you did amazing to hold yourself together.
Grief cuts so deeply at unexpected times, I'm currently weeping at the clipings for Downtown Abbey because my Mum and Auntie adored this show, never in a million years did I think they would not be here to see the next series. Stay strong

Something very similar happened to a friend of mine whose daughter died. She was shopping and picked up something she knew her daughter would like, and it didn't register that she wasn't here until she got to the till. She was very upset afterwards. I think it's a normal grief reaction, as a part of the mind doesn't want to accept the loss.
I think everlong's suggestion that you wear it yourself is a good one. I'm sorry for your loss x

thankyou, I think I will give it to her oldest daughter, and tell her the story, she feels almost like my own daughter now.